Acute Necrotizing Retinopathy After Xen Gel Stent Implantation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Glaucoma Treatment

Background:

• Xen gel stent implantation is a surgical option for glaucoma.
• Mitomycin-C is commonly used during ocular procedures to prevent scarring.

Observation:

• A 45-year-old woman experienced sudden vision blurring post-Xen gel stent surgery.
• She developed persistent hypotony, uveitis, and severe retinal detachment.
• Despite treatment, retinal necrosis, optic atrophy, and blindness occurred within two months.

Findings:

• Infectious and autoimmune causes of uveitis were excluded.
• Toxic retinopathy secondary to mitomycin-C was suspected as the cause of vision loss.
• This case highlights a potential severe complication of Xen gel stent surgery.

Implications:

• Ophthalmologists should consider toxic retinopathy when evaluating vision loss after Xen gel stent implantation.
• Further research is needed to understand and mitigate mitomycin-C-related toxicity in glaucoma surgery.
• This case underscores the importance of careful patient monitoring after glaucoma surgery.